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Summary: Soul Searching
Review: It leaves you feeling at peace, while questioning your path and existance...if you haven't read it you haven't discovered your true self.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding fable for all times
Review: I picked up this relatively short book one morning at a book store and started reading it in the park. I quickly took it home and finished it before the sun had set. Absolutely beautiful. I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face as the sun finally set; I know it sounds silly, but this book honestly touched me. Paulo Coelho weaves common truths, ageless parables, a boy's wanderlust, the hidden magic of the world, and the meaning of life into one engrossing, thoroughly enjoyable tale. Predictable, maybe, in retrospect; although I was too entranced by the rythmn and beauty of the story to make any predictions or think about anything else; I could only follow along like a kid by a campfire gazing at the flames.
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Summary: beautiful little myth
Review: A friend gave me this book a long time ago and then I had to get it for all my other friends. I loved it at first, then after reading the reviews, sure, I saw the flaws mentioned below. I became skeptical. It is not progressive and it perpetuates narrow views of the world, faith, purpose, the ideal woman too ... but, inspite of this, I find this book to be nourishing and beautiful. I couldnt put it down. It's well written and fun to read. It inspires us to have hope and pay attention to the "signs" out there. Signs of blessing and direction. Take it as a simple myth, a subtle push to help you reevaluate your life. t
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Summary: Not just a book!
Review: The moment I began reading this book, I knew that it is worth reading more than once. And when I finished it for the first time, I feel that this is not just a book. Instead, this is the Book that I would recommend to all people. It tells you about life, philosophy and other prospects in a very interesting and charming way. I have never read anything like this. A difinite 5 stars.
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Summary: The Power of Dreaming Big...
Review: Who doesn't love to dream? But who dares following one? The real few who do so end up making it big, and 'The Alchemist' emphasizes that fact.'The Alchemist' is a very important novel of our times, veritably a modern classic. The story is about a shepherd in Spain who dreams about hidden treasures in Egypt, and sets about seeking it. At times one might tend to think that this book is hinging too much on the occult, but a deeper analysis proves beyond doubt that one can relate to these things in one's own life... at least that was true with me. The story is replete with advice for any person who follows dreams. But the most important aspect of this book is the author's contention that the true alchemist is the pure of heart. The novel sags not for a moment, and has as many twists that one can expect in life. And the ending was truly extraordinary. Call it a fairy tale, call it a book steeped into magic and philosophy - end of the day, you cannot deny the fact that this book has affected you immensely, that it has set you thinking, evaluating about life, and the mysterious world of dreams, intuition and the will to follow dreams whatever the odds. A modern classic like no other - short and sweet yet profoundly touching, this book is a marvel.
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Summary: keep searching
Review: I read this book in a day. It's a fast read and interesting little fable. . . .but, the book is too preachy. . .of course you are going to encounter some struggles on your way to realize your dream. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out. The symbolism in the story is too forced. Here's the point. . . .follow your dreams, because only when you realize them will you find peace. . . .if you want to read 160 pages that work you up to tell you just this, than pick up this book, otherwise, just use your common sense.
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Summary: Two Sides of the Story
Review: When it comes to The Alchemist, Paulo has spun a web of characters, places,fantasies, and morals.
Side One is this... This story is a truly amusing piece of fiction that everyone, from kids to adults, can enjoy. The is a story of a little boy searching for his treasure.. End of Story.
Side Two is this... In general, when reading books, most authors tend to leave the reader to figure out the morals or lessons. Coelho, on the other hand, throws thoughts and morals on practically every page of the book and leave us, the readers, to think about them.
Hence in my opinion, all of Coelho's books are relatively short. This leaves the reader with two choices, either to read the book for the sake of reading another story or fable without any moral, or indulging the reader with thoughts and morals embroidered within the little boy's adventures.
I must add this... One person might read this book and say, "But I already know this about life" or " tell me something I don't know" or "I know I should follow my dream" but do keep in mind this. This book targets a very different class of audience... it all depends on how one looks at life. If you look at life in a very pompous manner and never let your guard down even when you're all alone sitting on that couch reading a book, then this is not a book for you..
A clap for Coelho for the amount of research he's done.
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Summary: feel-good fairytale
Review: Everyone can find something for himself in this book. The book makes you feel good, encourages you to trust your instincts, follow your heart. This book is a fairytale for grownups - a wonderful representative of the ganre.
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Summary: a reminder for what's important in life
Review: a book about following your heart. one of the most genuinely inspiring and wonderfully innocent books i have ever read. kind of in the same spirit as herman hesse's "siddhartha." a must read for anyone.
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Summary: A profoundly insightful book.
Review: This is a profoundly insightful book.
It has given me a renewed sense of purpose
and enthusiasm to fulfill my own "PERSONAL LEGEND".
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